Tree protection rules have been changed.

From the New Year, the Department of the Environment, Food and Agriculture, has been applying different criteria.

Now trees are judged on their ’amenity’ value rather than simply how big they are.

The Tree Protection Act 1993 provides extensive protection to trees - a higher level of protection than anywhere else in the British Isles - and under the old system, applications were required to remove all trees above a certain stem diameter.

This legislation has resulted in an average of more than 800 formal applications per year over the last 10 years

Geoffrey Boot MHK, Minister for the DEFA, said: ’By reviewing the tree register and making changes to the application process, we are re-directing resources towards trees with the highest amenity value.

’The publication of a Tree Protection Policy makes our tree protection regulations more open and transparent, and the review has rationalised tree regulations to ensure it better supports our economy and community whilst still protecting our environment.’

A revised process, which came into effect on January 1, saw the introduction of a new application form and guidance notes.

By setting out what factors contribute to a tree having an ’amenity’ value, such as its size and visual prominence, the Tree Protection Policy has enabled the department to differentiate between applications that require detailed, technical assessments and those requiring only a basic assessment. The tree protection policy is available on the government website.

Arboricultural officer Andrew Igoea said: ’Site visits by technical officers are costly for the department and an inconvenience for the public.

’If the public provide the right information with their applications we can avoid site visits and time-consuming detailed assessments of small trees in remote or secluded locations, which provide little amenity value to the public.

’Focussing on the most significant trees will hopefully speed up the application process, enabling the department to issue licences more quickly and minimise the impact of regulation on the tree owner.’

He added: ’We have provided extensive guidance notes and web links, set out in a way which will help the public find the information they need as quickly as possible.

’I would advise anyone thinking of making an application to check out the government’s tree protection web page to ensure they are using the correct form and are providing the correct information, as the department will also be stricter about what it accepts as a valid application.’

A review of tree protection policy was included in the DEFA’s submission to the SAVE initiative, a government-wide effort to make tax-payers’ money go further.